Sheet feeder for printing presses



J. F. BANTHIN SHEET FEEDER FOR PRINTING PRESSES Feb. 23, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed May 25l 1948 IN V EN TOR.

' ATTORNEY Feb 23, 1954 J. F. BANTHIN SHEET FEEDER FOR PRINTING PRESSES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25, 1948 45 46 INVENTOR. 44 011191:.' BANTHIN Feb. 23, 1954 J. F. BANTHIN SHEET FEEDER FOR PRINTING PREssEs.

3 Sheets-Sheet vI5 Filed May 25, 1948 ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

`This invention relates to new and useful improvements in .printing presses and has particular relation to improvements in pneumatic valve systems for controlling the feeding of paper sheets to a printing press and simultaneously controlling the impression cylinder for the on and ofi positions.

An object of the invention is to provide improvements in the printing press disclosed in my Patent Number 2,592,998, such improvements including means whereby on failure of the vacuux'rl suckers of the press to deliver a sheet oik paper tothe impression cylinder and thereby on failure of the vacuum system, the impression cylinder will be held against movement toward the type bed or toward on position whereby applicaatmosphere until the suckers have retreated toy closed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall Within the spirit of ythe invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. l is a side elevational view of ythe vrear por on of a press showing the means of the present invention incorporated in the press, the

parts being positioned for the vacuum suckers to remove a sheet from a stack;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevational View showing certain of said cerned with the invention, the parts being positioned as when a sheet has just been delivered to the impression cylinder;` v

Fig. 3 is a view somewhat similar to Fig`.`2 but showing the parts with the impression cylinder' parts particularly con-` locked in on position and with the vacuum suckers substantially returned to pick-up posi-` shown), all as is usual in the art.

The present invention is concerned tain improvements in the structure of a system impression cylinder position at such times as the delivery mechanism may fail to deliver a piece of paper or the like during operation of the press. In this respect, the present invention nism fails to deliver machine proceeds through its normal cycle, the type will engage the -impression blanket onthe Ii upper or inoperative or oir position and its blanket will not be engaged by the type as the type bed is carried under the cylinder in the usual manner.

A second important feature of the present invention is the providing of means whereby when the vacuum to the vacuum suckers has been broken in the normal operation of the machine to cause said suckers to release and deliver a sheet of paper or other material to be printed upon to the head stops and the grippers of the impression cylinder, such vacuum system may be maintained broken or open to atmosphere until the vacuum suckers have made the desired part of their return movement.

Thus, with the present improvement, when the vacuum to the vacuum suckers has been broken -it is not re-established until after said vacuum suckers are remote ltrom the point of delivery of the sheet or the like whereby when the vacuum is re-established through such vacuum suckers there will be no possibility of the vacuum acting through the suckers causing them to again pick up the delivered sheet or to disturb it or in any way bring about its disarrangement. This second feature is accomplished by a very simple addition to the mechanism already employed and designed for the locking of the impression cylinder in its upper or oi position at such times as above referred to.

The locking of the impression cylinder in its upper or oir position at such times as heretofore mentioned is controlled by the suction used in the paper or other sheet or the like feeder or transfer mechanism. Such mechanism, as here shown, includes feeder brackets It and a pair of arms l1 (of which but one is shown) mounted on aligned pivots i9 supported in the opposite side wall portions 2t of the base or frame casting H. At their upper ends arms Il are connected by a manifold 2l which supplies a vacuum to vacuum suckers 22 through tubular flexible connections 23.

Suction is applied to the manif old from a pump 24 driven by a motor 25 as through a belt 26 and a pulley 21. From the pump a pipe 2B leads to a T-tting 2S, one branch of which is connected with a vacuum gage 3S and to the outer branch of which is connected a pipe or tube 3l leading to a valve body 3?. mounted on one of sides 2B. Valve body 32 is shown as cast with a lug-like extension 33 through which are passed bolts or similar means 34 for mounting the valve body on the frame side 2t. It is noted that the valve body is so mounted that its upper edge is about flush with the upper edge or" said frame side.

Valve body 32 (see particularly Fig. a) includes a chamber 35 opening through the upper side of the valve body and with which communicates the pipe 3l. A nipple 36 also communicates through the side wall of the valve body with the chamber 35 and conveniently this nipple is located directly above the connection of the tube 3i with the valve body. Thus, through the chamber 35 the pipe 3| is in communication with the nipple 38.

Normally closing the upper open end of the chamber 35 is a pivotally mounted valve lid 3l. When this valve lid is in closed position it serves to prevent the breaking of vacuum within the chamber 35. Also, valve body 32 has a cylindrical chamber 38 opening through its lower end to one side of the chamber 35 and operable in said chamber is a plunger 39 which is held in an inner position when vacuum is applied to the chamber.

the frame .i

1 located within the cylindrical portion lil of theV fail The plunger includes a cylindrical upper or inner portion it and below such portion carries a head fil provided with a pin i2 operating between the jaws of a bifurcated arm portion i3 of a substantially L-shaped catch device Device 44 is pivoted at l5 and has its other arm et notched whereby to provide it with a shoulder El, the purpose of which will later appear. The pump 24 is equipped with a petcock i3 which may be used as will be described.

Rigid with or integral with the lid 3l is a leverlike extension de and the part comprising the lid and this extension is pivotally mounted as on a pin 59 passing through ear-like extensions 5l of the valve body. Clearly, the part comprising the lid and the extension All are eccentrcally mounted on the pivot El) whereby through the forces of gravity the lid will normally occupy a closed position with respect to the open upper end of the chamber 3E.

The inner or upper portion of the cylinder or cylindrical chamber 33 of the valve body 32 is in communication with the chamber 35 of said valve body through a metering orifice E2. Within the inner upper portion of said chamber 38 is a short cylindrical sleeve 53 of a diameter to telescopically enter the cylindrical portion ill of the plunger 39 and which sleeve comprises a floating bearing abutting the inner end of a manually adinstable screw 5ft passing through the upper end of the valve body 32 and having a knurled head 55 for use in adjusting the screw.

At its upper end, entering the sleeve 53 and bearing against the same but for the most part plunger 39, is a coil spring 5B which at its respective ends bears against the sleeve and the plunger and normally tends to shift the plunger downwardly or outwardly of the cylinder or chamber 38. Clearly, on turning or the screw, the sleeve 53 may be adjusted downwardly to increase the compression of the spring 55 and preferably lock nut 51 is provided for securing the screw against any accidental movement.

Located in the side frame wall or side 2@ is a strip-like bracket 58 shown as secured in place by the bolts 34 used for mounting the valve body 32. The bracket 5S includes an anchor portion 59 which is held flat against the frame side 20 and then includes an outwardly oiset portion 60 located in parallel spaced relation to said frame side. A suitable pivot Si serves to pivotally mount a latch device 62 on the bracket portion 60 in a location between said bracket portion and a tongue-like extension 63 of the lid extension 49. Clearly, the pivot 6l is intermediate the ends of the latch 62.

At its upper end the latch 62 includes a hooklike portion 64 adapted to pass over the mentioned extension E3 when the latter is depressed (as will be set forth) from its normal position such as that in which it is shown in Fig. 6. A coil spring 65 anchored to the frame side 20 at one end and at its other end to al lower portion or latch 62, normally tends to urge such latch about its pivot Gl in a manner or in a direction to carry its hook 64 over the extension 63. However, under normal conditions (that is, when the lid 31 is closed maintaining vacuum in the system) an edge only of extension 63 is engaged by the hook 64 as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6 so that the latch is unable to move over the extension under the influence of the spring 65.y

The purpose of all of this structure will be fully set forth hereinafter.

*Extending upwardly from the nipple 38isl a tube of rubber or other flexible material 66 which at its upper end communicates with the interior of the manifold 2|. `At spaced points this tube is clipped to the arm |1 as at 61. From the above, it'will be understood that when the pump 24 is operating, a suction is created through the line 3| and Awithin the chamber 35 and through the metering orifice 52 into thecylindrical chamber 38 and through the pipe or tube 66 and the manifold 2| to. the vacuum suckers 22. The suction applied through the` metering orice 52 is applied to the inner end of the plunger 39 and when the lid 31 is closed and the suckers 22 are holding a piece of paper 'or areotherwise sealed,

68 of levers which are pivoted at their inner ends as at 89 to the outer ends of the arms I1. Each ofrthese levers includes a second arm 19 to the rear end of which are pivotally connected the upper ends of a rod 1|, which rod also passes through guide lugs 12 on the arms |1. Coil springs 13 on the respective rods 1| between one lug 12 and a shoulder or nut 14 normally bearing against said nut, tend to shift the rods 1| whereby to rock the pivoted levers and cause their arms 68 to swing downwardly or clockwise about the pivotsV 69.

Extensions 15 from Athe feeder brackets |6 pivotally mount a feed plate 16 at its ends carrying rigid forwardly projecting extensions 11 which at their outer ends, in positions over the cylinder |2, support head stops 18. for the feed plate 16 is indicated 16a. Extensions 15 have pivoted to their outer ends short arms 19, the left one of which is pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 88, the lower end of which is pivoted to the arm of a bell crank 8|. This bell crank is operated by means (not shown) conventional in the art for rocking the arms 19 to have a roller 82 thereon engage the feeder plate 16 and elevate it and thereby the head stops 18 as from the position of Fig. l to a position further spaced from the impression cylinder I2'.

The lower end of the feeder arm |1 is provided with a crank-like extension |1a to the outer end of which is pivotally connected a link 83. The lower end of said link is pivotally connected to an, arm 84 of a rocker 85 pivoted intermediate its ends as at 88 and at the outer end of its second arm 81 carrying a roller 88 located in the cam groove 89 of a cam 90. Cam 99 is mounted on a shaft 9| also mounting a gear 92 and which gear is meshed with a gear 93 on a shaft 94 carrying a cam 95.

` These gears 92 and 93 are driven in any suitable manner (not shown) and as the cam 90 rotates, the rocker arm 85 is rocked up and down about the shaft 86 and through the link 83 and crank arm |1a causes shifting of the feeder mechanism and particularly the suckers 22 from a pick-up or loading position as shown in Fig. 1 to a dropoli` position over the impression cylinder 2 and adjacent the head stops 18 and then back to the pick-up or loading position.

4In Fig. 2, the inclination of the arm |1 indicates that the suckers are approximately in dropol or delivery position. During the mentioned forward movement of the suckers, a sheet of paper is carried from the stack |5 and at the end of such forward movement is delivered to the head stop or drop guides and thence to the grippers (not shown) of the impression cylinder I2.

The impression cylinder l2 is mounted on an' The pivot i eccentric 98 located-about a shaft *91 mounting a gear 98 which is driven in a suitable manner (not shown) whereby the impression cylinder is driven ni synchronism with movement of the type bed (not shown). Clearly, turning of the eccentric 96 `in one'direction or the other will raise or lower the impression cylindery l2 and when the latter is raised, it will be in off position spaced from the type bed. When the cylinder is lowered, it is in on position and then carries a sheet of paper and presses the latter against the type as the type bed is moved under the cylinder whereby to. print on the sheet.

After the type bed passes under the cylinder and makes its impression, the cylinder is raised and the type bed passed back to its normal or starting position. The eccentric 96 is fast to an arm 99 to the outer end of which is pivotally connected a link |90. ASaid link is connected to a similar link IUI by means of a rod |02 and link lill is pivoted at |93 to one branch of a cylinder trip arm |64, which latter is pivoted toward one end as at |95. Cylinder trip arm |84 includes a latching extension llldesigned to cooperate with the shoulder 41 of the L-shaped catch device 44 previously described.

Pivotally connected with the trip arm |94 is a link |81 to which is connected a rod |83 passing through a pivoted guide |89. A coil spring H8 is mounted on this rod |98 between the guide |69 and a collar and is constantlyv thrusting against the collar tending to rock the trip arm |84 in a clockwise direction about the pivot |05. A link H2 is pivoted as at I3 to the trip arm |04 and as at ||4 to an arm` I5 of a bell crank lever H6, which latter is pivoted at ||1 and includes a second arm ||8 carrying a roller ||9 bearing against the cam 95. Clearly, the link i |22 is connected with the trip arm |84 in advance of the pivot |05 of the latter. Therefore, on certain movement of the link H2, as toward the left in Figs. 1 and 2, the trip arm |94 is rocked from the position of Fig. 1 through that .of Fig. 2 to the position of Fig. 3.

Mounted on the arm |1 of the feeder mechanism is a stud |28 through which is threadedly adjustable a screw |2| designed to engage a trip lever comprising the extension 49 of the valve or lid 31 and rock the same as from the position of Figs. 1 and 3 to the position of Fig. 2 whereby to tilt the lid 31 on the valve body 32 and break and maintain broken the vacuum in the chamber 35 and thus in those parts of the system at the side of said chamber remote from the It will be apparent that the screw |2| is movable with the transfer mechanism from the loading position shown in Fig. 1 to a delivery or discharge position, such as is partly illustrated in Fig. 2. In this latter position, the arm |1 of the transfer mechanism is so positioned that the screw |2| has engaged the lever-like extension 49 and caused lifting of the lid 31 from the valve body 32 opening the suction system to atmospheric pressure.

As the lever-like extension 49 is depressed, rocking about the pivot 5|) and' causing raising of the lid 3"! to open position, the tongue-like extension 63 is also depressed or moved downwardly to such extent that the spring 65 succeeds in rocking the latch 62 about the pivot 6| in a counterclockwise direction so as to dispose the hook portion |34 of said latch over said tonguelike extension 83. Thus, as the transfer mecha-l nism comes into position to paper or the like to the head deliver a sheet of stops 18 and thusV to the impression cylinder, the screw |2| engaging the extension 49 causes movement of the lid 31 to open position breaking the vacuum to the vacuum suckers 22 whereby to release the sheet that is to be printed upon.

At the same time, the latch 62 is swung into operative position over the extension 63 latching the lid 31 in open position. Thus, at the start of the return movement of the transfer mechanism, as the screw |2| moves away 4E, the lid 3l is held in open position so that there is no suction on the suckers 22. In former devices where the suction systems become operative immediately on the start of the return movement of the transfer mechanism, a possibility that suction through the suckers 22 might cause them to pick up a dropped sheet or cause movement or disarrangement of the sheet. However, with the present device, as the transfer mechanism starts back position, the latch G3 retains the lid 31 in open position so that the vacuum system is interrupted between the pump 24 and the vacuum suckers 22 and there is no possibility of the suction through said suckers causing movement or disarrangement of the dropped or delivered sheet.

As the transfer mechanism approaches its loading or pick-up position (see Fig. 3) the pivot |22 between the outer end of the arm Via and the link S3 is moving upwardly of Fig. 2 through the position ci Fig. 3 toward the position of Fig. 1. As such pivot approaches the position of Fig. 3 it engages the lower end portion of the latch 32 and causes swinging of said latch on the pivot 8| in a clockwise direction, against the tendency of the spring 65, whereby to rock such latch into a released position with respect to the extension 33 whereupon the lid 31 falls into closed position over the chainber 35. At this time, the vacuum system being I again closed, suction is again applied to the vacuum suckers 22 whereby they may take the next sheet from the stack i5.

When the apparatus is in use, the vacuum gage 3B serves to indicate and adjust the real vacuum needed for different sizes, types and weights of paper to be fed by the feeder mechanism. The petcock 48 at the vacuum pump is used only occasionally, as may be required, for adjusting the vacuum in the suckers 221 and the plunger 33 to compensate for differences in the weight of the paper as when feeding very light tissue or oil skin paper in the feeder or transfer mechanism at one time and heavy cardboard at another time.

With the above understanding, assuming that adjustments have been made whereby the proper degree of vacuum will be applied for handling of the stack i5 to be printed upon, the machine is started. For the present we will assume that the operation is started from the position of Fig. 1. There the suckers will pick up the top sheet or' paper (customarily means are employed for providing a blast of air against the front edges of the stock in line parallel with the stock so as to separate the upper sheets from the pile).

It will be understood that the full suction pressure will be applied through the suckers 22 since the valve lid 31 is closed. As the cam 3|)A rotates it rocks the arm 85, the feeder mechanism carrying the sheet of paper is rocked in a clockwise direction, on the pivots I3, carrying the sheet of paper from the stock pile to the impression cylinder. While the sheet isretained by the suckers 22, the vacuum remains sealed in the described from the extension there was to pick-up or loading as from the position system or pipe line and the sheet is carried Ior- Ward to the head stops 18. The leading edge of the sheet is just ahead of the suckers and such edge of the sheet is brought against the head stops.

At this point in the movement of the feeder or transfer mechanism, the screw |2| engages the extension 19 and actuates the same to tilt the lid 31 to open position breaking the vacuum in the system. Since the screw |2| is mounted directly on the arm |1 of the feeder mechanism, it is possible to make a direct and accurate setting as to the point of release of the sheet by the suckers and such point may be at any desired place forwardly of the head stops 18.

Here it is noted that the extension di) projects inwardly of the machine frame and over the upper edge of the frame side 20. Thus, but a short stud or lug |20 on the side arm I1 is required for the mounting of the screw |2|. Therefore, this screw is conveniently mounted in a rigid manner and is located close to the other moving parts of the machine and does not extend therefrom in any such manner as to be in the way or to be likely to spring or yield unless mounted with very heavy parts.

When the lid 31 is raised and the vacuum in the system broken, the vacuum at the suckers 22 is lost and the latter drops the sheet of paper or the like at the head stops. The breaking of the vacuum also allows the plunger 39 to drop in the cylindrical chamber 38 in the valve body as from the position of Figs. l and 2 to the position of Fig. 3, permitting of a corresponding movement of the cylinder locking lever or latch device 44.

Then in the normal cycle of operation of the machine, the feeder mechanism moves back toward the stock pile after a very short movement, screw |2| is out of the way, and away from the extension 9. However, the lid 31 may not gravitate to closing position since the hook 64 of the latch 63 is now over the extension 63 rigid with said lid and so is securing the lid in open position. Therefore, there is no vacuum applied through the suckers 22 in any such manner as to cause movement or disarrangement of the sheet which has just been released or dropped.

However, as the return movement of the transfer or feeder mechanism continues, the pivot |22' engages the lower portion of the latch 82 rocking the same in a clockwise direction to remove its hook 64 from the above extension G3 whereupon lid 31 gravitates to closed position. Therefore, when the suckers get back to the stack of paper and engage a sheet, the vacuum has been reestablished in the system and the suckers grip or pick up the paper or sheet and the plunger 39 is again raised in the cylindrical chamber 38 by the suction applied to the upper end of said plunger through the orifice 52.

The feeder mechanism may now move forward to deliver a new sheet of paper to the impressioncylinder. With respect to the time oi. operation of the latch 62 to released position with respect to the extension S3. it is noted particularly with respect to Fig. 5, that the flat portion 59 of the bracket 58 has elongated openings |23 through which the bolts 35i pass. Thus, this bracket may be longitudinally adjusted slightly to dispose the latch in slightly different positions for engagement by the pivot |22 at slightly different times. This permits of operation of the latch to release' the lid in a choice of positions after the transfer mechanism has travelled the desired predetermined distance on its returnA journey.

^Ii. for any reason, the sheet of lpaper is'- notv retained or held by the suckers, as the feeder mechanism moves from the pick-up or loading position toward the impression cylinder or the delivery position, the vacuum in the system is broken due to the leakage of atmosphere through the suckers. This being true, the plunger 39 in the valve body 32 drops or has dropped to the lower position in which it is shown in Fig.- 3. While the cam 90 is operating to move the feeder mechanism as described, the cam 95 acting on the roller I9 also acts on the trip arm |04 and it will be understood that the spring H is constantl;r pressedto shift said trip ar vDuring each cycle of operation of the machine, the cam 95, as its high point is approached, acting on the roller H9 rocks the bell crank H6 in a counterclockwise direction and through the link 2 forces the trip arm |64 from the position of impression cylinder I2 whereby paper on the cylinder will be engaged by the type.

Then as the high point of the cam rocks the bell crank in a counterclockwise direction, the trip arm |04 is rocked also in a counterclockwise direction against the tendency of the spring lil thereby shifting the eccentric 96 in the opposite direction to raise the impression cylinder to an "oiP or inoperative position. As this occurs, the latch portion |06 of the trip arm is carried to a lower position and after the vacuum system has been broken as when the suckers are not carrying a piece of paper, the plunger 39 has been permitted to drop, the L-shaped locking lever or catch device vUl shifts or rocks in such a manner that the la'tch part 0B enters under the shoulder 41 of such catch device or lever whereby the tripping lever |04' is locked down to the position of Fig. 3 with the impression cylinder l2 in its upper or oir position.

Thus, while under these circumstances the suckers may have failed to deliver a piece of paper to the impression cylinder, the blanket of the latter will not become soiled from ink from the type since the impression cylinder is locked in its upper or oilm position. In the no1'- mal use of the machine when the suckers drop the sheet against the head stops '18, the trip arm |94 has already moved to latch i portion lil is above may be engaged by the catch device M. At such time the printing cylinder or impression cylinder is in its on or impression position and the sheet of paper is taken by the cylinder grippers (not shown) and revolved with the cylinder-for the printing operation. Thereafter, the printed paper -is taken by the delivery grippers (not shown) and delivered to a pile.

With the present mechanism, since the cylinder will be locked in off position when the suckers 22 fail to carry a sheet of paper, it will be apparent that the type bed will not accidentally print on the cylinder blanket. Should such happen, the blanket would oiset print upon the backs of the next sheets following the accidental operation and thereby spoil such following sheets. Since, with the present mechanism, the impression cylinder will be locked in its 01T or nonprinting position whenever the suckers fail t0 carry a sheet of paper toward the cylinder, no damage to the cylinder blanket will occur and in the regular operation of the machinethe feeder a position wherein its a position in which it' Afeeder means movable on l@ or transfer` mechanism will return to the` stock pile, pick up a sheet of paper and bring it over to the cylinder and the operations will be carried on as usual.

It will be appreciated that there will be no damage to any part when the impression cylinder is locked in off position since the entire movement of the cylinder to on or printing position is brought about by the spring H0 and the vpress locking mechanism merely functions to prevent such spring from performing its function when the suckers fail to carry a, sheet during their movement toward the impression cylindei.

In the present construction, it will be noted that I have succeeded in eliminating a number of parts employed in the construction disclosed in my application above identified. Thus, in the present construction. I have but a single valve body mounting the plunger 39 and in which the vacuum is broken by movement of the lid 31. Then I have succeeded in eliminating a number of parts and their necessary installation and connections. Further, in the present structure, the vacuum to the suckers 22 is taken through the chamber 35 and the chamber in communication with the chamber'38 in which the plunger $9 is movable. Thus, I do not tap off a connection between the chamber 35 and the chamber 38 in order to supply a vacuum to the suckers.

In addition, the present construction provides means whereby the suction is not reapplied to the suckers until they are a safedistance from their delivery position so there is no danger of the reapplied suction causing any movement or disarrangement of the previously delivered sheet. It will be understood that as the delivery mechanism is returning from delivery to pick-up position, should the suction be reapplied to the suck-4 ers too soon and while they are in the immediate vicinity of the newly deposited sheet, they might again pick the sheet up and carry it away, or

relation to the stops might shift it out of prop-er and the grippers of the cylinder. f

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, what I claim is:

l. In a printing press including a fixed frame,

an impression cylinder carried by said frame,

fer a sheet from a pile to said cylinder and to return to said pile, suckers means, a system for applying suction to said suckers, a valve in said system xedly mounted on said frame and openable to break the vacuum therein short of said ing a movable valve tion to have said suckers deposit a sheet on said cylinder, movable means mounted on said frame y secure said movable valve part in open posisystem and openable to break the vacuum there-1 in short of said suckers, an adjustable screwcar ried by said feeder means for opening said valve".

xed orifice 52 places such said frame to transcarried by said feeder' suckers, said valve includ. opening and closing part, means carried by said feeder means engageable with said movable valve part for opening said valve when said feeder means reaches a posi` aci/once when said feeder means reaches a desired ELOS- tion to have said suckers deliver a sheet to said cylinder, securing means to secure said valve in open position when it has been moved to such position by said adjustable screw, means -to shift said securing means to release said valve Vfor closing at the end ci a predetermined return movement of said feeder means, and means adjustably mounting said securing means whereby the point in the return :movement of said feeder means at lwhich .said securing means is moved to release said valve maybe varied.

3. In a printing press including an impression cylinder, a feeder means to transfer a sheet from a pile to said cylinder and to return to said pile, said means including suckers, a system for applying suction to said suckers, a valve in said system and including a valve body adapted to be opened to atmosphere and a pivoted lid normally closing said valve body, an extension on and rigid with said lid and pivoted whereby to be rocked in one direction to raise said lid and open said valve body to atmosphere to break the suction in said system at a point short or said suckers, means carried by said feeder means and operable to engage and roch said extension in said direction to open said lid to break the suction in said system and have said suckers deposit a sheet on said cylinder, means to engage said extension and secure said valve in open position, and means to shift said securing means to release said ei;- tension to permit of closing oi said valve on predetermined return movement or said feeder means from said delivery position.

4. 1n a printing press including an impression "1 cylinder, a feeder means to transfer a sheet from a -pile to said cylinder and to return to said pile, said means including suckers a system `for applying suction to said suckers, a valve in said system and inclu-ding a valve body adapted to be opened to atmosphere and a pivoted lid norm-al ly closing said valve body, an extension on and rigid with said lid and pivoted whereby to be rocked in one direction to raise said lid and open said valve body to atmosphere to break the suc-.- tion Yin said system at a point short of said suckers, means carried by said feeder means and operable to engage and rock said extension in said direction to open said lid to break the suction in said system and have said suckers deposit a sheet on said cylinder, securing means to engage .said extension and secure said valve in open position, means to shift said securing means to release Said extension to permit of closing of said valve on predetermined return movement of saidfeeder means from said delivery position, and means adjustably lmounting said securing means whereby the point in `the return movement of said feeder means at which said securing means is moved to release said valve may be varied.

5. ,In a printing press including a frame and sheet feeding mechanism pivoted larm for moving said suckers from a sheet receiving station to a sheet delivery station, means for rocking said arm on its pivot to shift said .suckers from said receiving station to said delivery station and back to said receiving station during each cycle of the machines operation, a, system for applying suction to said suckers, a normally closed valve in said system shiftable to open the system to atmosphere and render said suckers ineiective to hold a sheet, means on said arm movable therewith and located to engage and open said valve on each movement of the arm carrying said suckers to delivery position,

comprising suckers, a y

'LLL

bis

(iii

f livery station and back a latch on said machine frame spring :biased to engage said valve when the latter is in open;

position and retain it .,open, and means whereby on a predetermined return movement of said arm carrying said suckers -to their receiving Position said latch is engaged and shifted against the action of said spring releasing said valve iol' closing.

6. In a printing press including a 'frame :and sheet feeding mechanism comprising suckers, s. pivoted arm for movin-g said suckers from a lsheet receiving station 'to asheet delivery station, means for rocking said arm on its pivot to shift said suckers from said receiving station to said de.-

to said receiving station during each cycle of lthe lmachines operation, a system for applying suction to said suckers, a pivotally mounted normally closed valve rockable on its pivot to an open position opening said system to atmosphere and rendering said.

suckers ineiective to hold a sheet, means on said arm movable therewith and located to eng-age and rock said valve to open position on each4 movement of the arm carrying said sucker-s to Vdelivery position, a latch pivoted on said machine frame spring biased to move and engage said valve when the latter is rocked to open position and retain it open, and means whereby on a predetermined return movement of said arm carrying said suckers to their receiving po.- sition said latch is engaged and rocked against the action of said spring releasing said valve for rocking back to closed position.

'7. In a printing press including a frame and sheet feeding mechanism comprising suckers, a pivoted arm for moving said suckers from a .sheet receiving station to a sheet delivery station, means for rocking said arm on its pivot to shift said suckers from said receiving station to said' delivery station and back to said receiving staf tion during each cycle of the machines opera tion, a system for applying suction to said suckers, a normally closed valve in said system and shiftable to open the system to atmosphere and render said suckers ineffective to hold a sheet, means on said arm movable therewith and located to engage and open said valve on each movement of the arm carrying said suckers to delivery position, a latch on said machine frame spring biased to engage said valve when the latter is in open position and retain it open, and said latch when in position retaining said valve open having a portion in the path of return movement of said arm whereby on a predetermined return movement of said arm carrying said suckers to their receiving position said arm engages said latch portion and shifts the latch against the action oi said spring releasing said valve for closing.

In a printing press including a frame and sheet feeding mechanism comprising suckers, a pivotedarm for moving said suckers from a sheet receiv" g station to a sheet delivery station, means for -roclring said arm on its pivot to shift said suckers from said receiving station to said delivery station. and back to said receiving station during each cycle of the machines operation, `a system -for applying suction to said suckers, pivotaily mounted normally closed valve rockable on its pivot 'to an open position opening said system to atmosphere rendering said suckers ineffective to hold a sheet, means on said arm movable therewith located to engage and rock said vaiye to open position on each movement of the .arm carrying said suckers to delivery path of return movementl of said arm Where-by on a predetermined return movement of said arm carrying said suckers to their receiving position said arm engages said latch portion and rocks the latch against the action of said spring releasing said valve for closing.

9. The press as in claim 5 wherein the means on said arm and movable therewith comprises a screw longitudinally adjustable relative to said arm whereby to open said valve in the selected position of said arm in its movement toward delivery position.

10. In a printing press including a frame and sheet feeding mechanism comprising suckers, a pivoted arm for moving said suckers from a sheet receiving station to a sheet delivery station, means for rocking said arm on its pivot to vshift said suckers from said receiving station to said delivery station and back to said receiving station during each cycle of the machines operation, a system for applying suction to said suckers, a normally closed valve in said system shiftable to open the system to atmosphere and render said suckers ineiective to hold a sheet, means for opening said valve on of said arm carrying said suckers to delivery predetermined movement :a

position, a spring biased latch pcsitioned'to en- References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,712,546 Borgeson May 14, 1929 1,810,898 Bell June 23, 1931 1,820,469 Low Aug. 25, 1931 1,886,281 Low Nov; 1, 1932 2,009,687 Cottrell July 5, 1935 2,091,283 Johnson Aug, 31, 1937 2,139,228 Hale Dec. 6, 1938 2,144,037 Thompson Jan. 17, 1939 2,185,440 Johnson Jan. 2, 1940 2,295,055 Rupp et al Sept. 8, 1942 2,320,100 Rupp May 25, 1943 2,404,529 Reichelt et a-l July 23, 1946 2,439,515 Hodgson Apr. 13, 1943 2,592,998 Banthin Apr. 15, 1952 

